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“Spencer—” I start, but he shakes his head.
“I love you. I’m in love with you.”
My heart stalls and then starts again for him. The rapid rhythm beating in my chest is just for him. Guilt weighs on me, but he’s lost in his thoughts. I’ll let him talk, and then I’ll tell him. I can’t wait. I need to tell him that I love him too, but not before he knows what I’ve been hiding from him. It’s not a huge secret, but a secret all the same. There are no secrets in relationships, and I know I’m going to have to work hard to prove to him that he can trust me. I’ll never stop every day. As long as he stays with me, I’ll fight to show him I’ll never keep anything from him ever again.
“I think I loved you then, you know? I saw you across the auditorium, and I knew. I just knew that I needed to know you. Over the years, I’ve thought about you often. When Audrey started dating Linc, I was stoked that I’d still get to see you.” He laughs as he laces his fingers with mine.
“I can’t lose you, Charlie. I won’t lose you. So wherever you’re going, I’m going too. We’ll figure it out, but I won’t let you go. Now that I have you. Fuck, this past weekend, that’s what our life will be like. I’ll cherish you every day of forever, just… let me come with you.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask softly. My heart still hammers in my chest, but on the outside, I’m calm, cool, and collected.
“Lucia, she told me you’re leaving, and I’m going with you.” There is strong determination in his voice. “I’ve finally got you, and I can’t let go, Charlie. Please don’t make me let go.” He moves in close and places his hands on my cheeks. “I am in love with you. You are the love of my life, and I’d follow you anywhere.”
I’m struggling to keep up with what’s going on or what he thinks is going on, but then I realize Lucia must have found out I’m leaving. She ran to him and told him so, but it’s all twisted, and it’s my fault. The sadness in his eyes is my fault.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
His brows furrow. “Lucia said you turned in your notice, that you found a new job and you’re leaving town. I don’t have grounds to fire her, even though I wish I did, but I’ll quit. I’m going to give notice in the morning, and I’ll go with you.” He leans in and presses his lips to the corner of my mouth, and I have to choke back a sob.
“Come here.” I motion for him to sit next to me on the couch, and he does, pulling me into his arms. He locks them tightly around me, and I let him hold me while I try to find the words to fix this mess. I know that I need to see him. I need to look him in the eye, so he can see my truths. So I move to straddle him. He wraps his arms around me, locking his hands behind my back, holding me tightly.
“I don’t know how she found out, but I did put in my notice today. I found a new job, but, Spence, I’m not leaving town. It’s in Calloway.” His brow furrows, so I continue to try and unravel this mess that I’ve made with Lucia's meddling. “When I found out that you were going to be my new boss, I started looking. In the beginning, it was because I couldn’t stand the thought of working under you.” His shoulders sag, but I rush to get the rest out. “However, that was before we were us.” I run my fingers through his hair. “I was still looking, but it was because I didn’t want to be the woman who slept her way to the top. I wanted us to be partners, and working beneath you, even if not directly, made that part of our relationship feel unbalanced. You know that I was uncomfortable with you being my boss, even if not directly. However, it was more than that. This job, it’s what I’ve always wanted. I knew that my position at the pediatric office was temporary. It was a stepping stone of sorts, but I got comfortable and complacent. When I applied for this job, there was a little bit of Spencer won’t be my boss, and we could be free to be together without worry or concern, at least on my end, and a whole lot of this is what I want.”
“You’re not leaving?”
“No. I’m quitting my job. I told Dr. Phillips this morning. He must have reached out to Lucia. I accepted a new position at Calloway Cancer Center. I’m their new COO.”
“Baby.” He swallows hard. “I’m so fucking happy for you and even happier for me. That bitch, she told me you were quitting and moving away.”
“I’m sorry I kept this from you. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to tell you. Every interview and every phone call of the process, I wanted to discuss it with you. I just… I wanted to get this job on my own merit. I didn’t want you to make a phone call on my behalf.” He smirks, and I point at him. “See! I wanted to do this on my own. I wanted them to want me for me, not because the CEO of Charleston’s hospital and my boyfriend called to put a good word in for me.”
He slides one hand behind my neck and pulls me in close. “I don’t want there to be secrets between us. You are my best friend, my lover, and my future. I would have listened if you told me not to interfere.”
“So, you admit you would have.”
He grins. “I already told you, anything you want, if it’s within my power, I’ll give it to you.”
“I love you.”
His eyes soften hearing my words. “I love you too.”
“Are we okay?”
“We are more than okay. I came here thinking you were leaving me, and find out you’re not.”
“We don’t have to worry about anyone talking when they see us together now,” I tell him with a smile.
“I didn’t worry before, but I’m glad this sets your mind at ease. I’m happy that you found your dream job, and I’m even happier that you’re here, you’re staying, and you’re mine.”
He kisses me softly and sweetly, and for the first time in months, I can breathe easily. When I pull back from his lips, his hand falls to my lap, and I wrap my arms around him in a hug. I close my eyes and take in the moment. There is nothing holding me back. I realize my fears were my insecurities, but he loves me. I love him, and I want a life with him.
I’m ready.
I want him.
I want us.
“I have one more secret,” I tell him.
